631957632012
Esther Owusu
Alice Raymond
Fatric Bewong
Gideon Hanyame
Frederick Bamfo
Katesi Jacqueline Kalange
Daboya Community
—Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, at the old Polo Grounds on Independence Day, March 6th, 1957
And thence…
“Ayawaso-West-Wuogon contingent……mark time: left-right, left-right, left-right, left-right………………”
“La-Dadekotopon contingent…………..slow march: left [pause] right, left [pause] right, left [pause] right……..”
“Osu-Salem schools contingent, quick march………”
[drums roll]
“Ablekuma-South contingent ………eeeeeeyyyyyeeeeessssss……. right!”
“HALT!”
Independence Day celebrations in Ghana have always been characterized by military-style parades and marches reminiscent of colonial days. Last year, striking teachers threatened to disrupt the ‘March Past’ programs by withdrawing from rehearsals with students in their respective towns. Their action was driven by demands for an increase in their salaries. However, a few weeks before the main event, after several ‘crisis’ meetings and discussions with government officials, the strike was called off. A ‘placebo’ solution was found. The teachers returned to the rehearsals, resulting in another ‘successful’ march-past parade.
This raises several questions:
- Apart from wage increases, what else might compel people to question the perpetuation of military-style parades as our means of celebrating independence?
- Have we ever stopped to consider what it is that we are even celebrating when we celebrate?
- If we claim to be celebrating our independence, can we collectively say that we are truly independent?
- From whom are we independent?
- What is the nature of true independence?
- What are the real implications of our national slogan: “Freedom and Justice”?
- Why aren’t we celebrating through means other than those used by the colonials?
Fewer artists than expected attended the gathering, and curiously, no women artists were present—a point for another year’s deliberation. While the discussions did not lead to definitive answers, they posed even more questions.
Imaginations ran wild in creative ways. Projects materialized, collaborations were developed, and spontaneous actions were birthed.
After two to three hours, the project 631957132012 gained footing, resulting in a series of actions, events, performances, and interviews spanning a week, from Sunday, 4th March, to Sunday, 11th March, at various venues and locations across the capital and even in some regions.
Project: 631957132012 is just the beginning of questioning. Let’s all wake up from our long slumber to start looking critically at our national celebrations: what we celebrate, who we celebrate, how we celebrate, and why we celebrate.